3 For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, 5 and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. 1 Cor. 15:3-5

Welcome

Over the years I have written several "book" or "booklets" and many, many, many newsletter and bulletin articles. Because the book market seeks writings to meet specific needs at specific times, my material has never been accepted. I have a tendency to write what is on my mind and so I am left with self publishing. So, with the encouragement from my wife and others, I am beginning this blog in order to put my "ramblings" "out there"! I hope you enjoy!

Disclaimer

Please note that while my intentions are to use good grammar, because of the way in which some of the material presented here is presented (orally) the grammar and syntax might not always be the best English. Also note that good theology is not always presented in the best English so there may be times when the proper grammar rules are purposely broken.

Wednesday, April 17, 2013

Do Not Conform

Paul writes in Romans 12:1-3

1I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. 2Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. 3For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned.

In the first verse Paul explains our role as priests, that we are to offer sacrifices which was the job of the priest. Our sacrifice is to be living our lives in service to others which is our service to our Lord. This living is what we call our vocation or calling.

In verse two we are instructed to not be conformed to this world but to be transformed, that is to be different from this world. Yet not transformed by ourselves, not from within but from with out by the Lord. This not being conformed is troublesome because as we look at our world, everyone seems to be conforming to the world, and even in the Christian Church, too many denominations are conforming to this world so much so that in many instances one cannot distinguish between the world and those that would call themselves Christian churches.

And how are we to be transformed and not conform to the world? Be as the Bereans (as Paul encourages us Acts 17:11) by discerning and testing everything against God’s Word. It is God’s Word which is our standard, not our interpretation (or misinterpretation) or understanding (or misunderstanding) of God’s Word, not our questioning of God’s Word (Genesis 3), but God’s Word as He speaks it to us whether we like it or not.

Finally, in verse three we are encouraged not to think more highly of ourselves, which causes our elevating our misinterpretation, our misunderstanding, our questioning God’s Word. Our sober judgement includes our confession that our minds, our thinking, our will has been tainted by sin and the cursed world in which we live as well as the temptations from the devil, the world and our own sinful flesh to acquiesce to the world thus being conformed by the world.

How does one go about not being conformed but transforming the world? “According to the measure of faith that God has assigned,” as always we begin with our Lord. We begin by making regular and diligent use of His means of grace (Holy Baptism, Confession and Absolution, the Word of God, the Lord’s Supper). As we make regular and diligent use of the means of grace, our Lord comes through these means and works through these means to give, strengthen and keep us in faith, to give us forgiveness of sins, and to transform us to be His people!

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Motto

Chosen by God,Lutheran by choice.

Mission Statement

To live my life in such a way that, through regular and diligent use of the means of grace* God will strengthen my faith so that, through my vocation, living my life as a priest in the priesthood of all believers, offering my life as a living sacrifice and always being ready to give an answer (apology or defense) of my faith and hope in Jesus, others might be brought to faith, God's Kingdom might be extended and praise and glory might be given to His holy name.

*Means of Grace, those outward means (Word, the Bible; and Sacraments, Holy Baptism and the Lord's Supper; along with Confession and Absolution) through which God comes to us to give us the gifts and blessings He has to give, faith, forgiveness, life and salvation.

Jesus Directed Life

The Jesus Directed Life will remain on this post. The older and archived posts are labeled with JDL as the prefix. Also The Jesus Directed Life is no longer on sale online at Concordia Writers Cooperative. If you are interested in a copy, please e-mail me and we can work something out.

Catechetical Devotions

Catechetical Devotions will remain on this post. Check the older and archived posts with the CD label.

Stewardship Is . . .

All the "Stewardship Is . . . " postings can be found in the Blog Archives. Unfortunately they are no longer for sale as the Concordia Writers Coop has closed. If you would like a set of ready to print bulletin inserts, please e-mail me and we can work something out.

Lifestyle Evangelism Is . . .

All the "Lifestyle Evangelism Is . . . " postings can be found in the Blog Archives. Unfortunately they are no longer for sale as the Concordia Writers Coop has closed. If you would like a set of ready to print bulletin inserts, please e-mail me and we can work something out.

Pirate Christian Radio

Definition

Grace - God’s riches at Christ’s expense. Grace is what God is doing for us and giving to us. Grace is God running the verbs, God running the show. Grace is not anything on our part or our doing.Gospel - Shows our Savior. Any passage of Scripture which tells us what Jesus has done, is doing and continues to do for us. Here again, God is running the show. When we are running the show that is not Gospel but law.Law- Show our Sin. Any passage of Scripture that commands us to do something and then tells us what we have done wrong. More often than not, this is what happens when we are running the show.The Religion of the World - Man is saved by his character. Man is expected to do and then he is promised that he will live. Man runs the show. Man saves himself. This amounts to idolatry.The Religion of Holy Scripture - Man is saved by Grace, through faith, given to him. Man is saved by an outside Savior. Man does not save himself. Man responds to what God has done, does and continues to do.